Relative strength of resource and predation limitation of heterotrophic nanoflagellates in a low-productive sea area

• The magnitude of resource and predation limitation of heterotrophic nanoflagellales (HMF) was studied in two short-term enclosure experiments performed in a low-productive sea area in the northern Baltic Sea in 2001. A cross-factorial design was used to simultaneously assess the relative importance of the two factors. Resource limitation was removed by adding bacteria, and predation limitation was eliminated by selective filtration. The first experiment was performed in June just after the spring bloom decline and the second in September at the end of the productive season. Resource limitation prevailed during both experiments, contributing to 60% of the net growth increase in June and 74% in September. Removal of predators had a significant effect only in June. Evidence for simultaneous resource and predation limitation was thus found only during the post-bloom situation. The results were applied to a model on resource and predation control of HNF abundances. To evaluate seasonal differences, field data on HNF and bacteria from a whole year study were applied to the model. Except for a few occasions during spring, the model indicated prevailing resource control of HNF at two locations with slightly different productivity. © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

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